Why Personal Training?

Personal Training – Not only for Celebrities

When Personal Training first began, it was thought to be for the rich and famous and initially that was the case. Athletes used trainers as did the image conscious Hollywood crowd. We began to see both athletes and celebrities go from flabby to firm. Picture a runner, gymnast or swimmer in the Olympics in the 60’s and 70’s compared to today. Everyone is more muscular, more flexible and has better endurance and performance. Those results came from conditioning with a trainer and coach.

We watched celebrities like Linda Hamilton in Terminator and Demi More in GI Jane transform their bodies for their roles. Americans were inspired and as we all became more image conscious, we realized that dieting alone was not going to give us a good shape, sexy muscles, a fast metabolism or the brawn to back up our looks.

As the regular Joe’s started to train like the pro’s, personal training became more main stream and is as affordable as comparative services such as massage, physical therapy, or facials. All budgets can afford personal training when you consider that you can meet with a trainer as little as once a month for 30 minutes. Having the accountability of a trainer produces greater results even with sessions spread out to a monthly appointment.

Thirty minute and group sessions make personal training reasonable for anyone. When you consider what one spends on beverages such as soft drinks, alcohol and coffee, that could easily pay for a monthly personal training session or more.

Would you attempt to fix your car if you were not a mechanic? Leave your fitness to the Experts

Americans are more unfit than ever. We are moving less and super sizing our meals with processed foods that our bodies cannot handle. Illness and disease are at an all time high. The good news is that doctors consistently preach that their patients exercise. The bad news is that the doctors don’t know where to refer the patients and the patients don’t know where to begin to start a lasting exercise program.

Some people will try to exercise on their own which is admirable; however one of the following typically happens:

• They don’t choose the appropriate exercises for themselves
• The exercises they do are not productive
• They get hurt performing an exercise incorrectly
• They feel intimidated in a gym and don’t return
• They exercise at too low of an intensity and don’t see results
• They do too much too soon and are excessively sore and do not return
• They perform the same routine over and over and their body adapts and no longer sees results
• They do not have variety in their routine, get board and quit
• They are not aware of postural imbalances and exasperate or worsen poor conditions

Honestly, the list can go on. Most people try and fail at exercise more times than they wish to count. People will think about exercising thousands of times before they actually do. There are a number of fears and imposed obstacles that keep people from participating in exercise and seeing results from those efforts.

If someone wants to get the most return for their time and investment in exercising, they should hire a professional. At the very least there should be a trial period with the guidance of a personal fitness professional to empower the client with the tools to perform productive exercise sessions.

There is both an art and a science to developing exercise programs and if you are not an expert you can waste valuable time and money as well as risk getting injured and not seeing results.

Failing at an exercise program is not necessarily the fault of the individual making their best attempts. They simply are not an exercise expert. There are infomercials, books and other “snake oil salesmen” promising embellished results and leading people to believe they can look like the models in the commercials. Those tactics lead to a feeling of failure upon the individual with the best intentions to get fit.

To get the most significant and guaranteed results, see a certified personal fitness professional.

What should you expect from a personal training session?

Once you have completed the initial consultation, health history, fitness assessment and goal setting session, you should expect the following to occur during a personal training session.

1. You should have a regular time to meet with your trainer so there are no scheduling challenges. That may mean you meet every Monday at 8 AM for example.
2. Arrive at the appointment 10 – 15 minutes early to secure any personal items, use the rest room, acquire a bottle of water and warm up.
3. Warm up for 5 – 10 minutes performing cardiovascular exercise. They may include walking, jogging or running (based on ability) or any other cardio exercise such as cycling, rowing, elliptical striding, stair climbing, jumping rope, or any other safe exercise that progressively causes your heart rate to rise.
4. You should expect your trainer to meet you at a pre-determined area at the time your session begins.
5. Depending on how long your session is, expect to spend 45 – 50 minutes engaging in a variety of exercises that are goal dependant and based on your needs, goals and abilities. Those exercises may combine machines, free weights, body weight exercises or a variety of other equipment that is used for functional training. Your session may incorporate strength training, cardiovascular endurance, anaerobic exercises such as sprint work or some combination thereof.
6. Your session should end with 5 – 10 minutes of total body stretching.
7. Your session should end with any instructions regarding your next workouts as well as tips for eating or other behavior modification recommendations.
8. Finally you should have your next scheduled appointment confirmed.

Why do most people hire a personal trainer?

In the United Stated states, most people hire a personal trainer for weight loss. At least 80% of those who work with a personal trainer are seeking fat loss. Others are seeking strength gains, reduction in pain, post rehabilitation, muscle gain, performance for an activity, reduced risk of disease, more energy, improved posture as well as being educated about exercise and the body.

People also hire a personal trainer as a coach, support person as well as for socialization and the prestige of working with fitness professional. Others work with a trainer with a very specific goal in mind such as training for an event like a 5K or fitness contest. Still others see the value in being physically it to enjoy their hobbies such as horseback riding or playing with young grandchildren.

Once someone works with a personal trainer it’s something they come to appreciate as the results and effects move far beyond the clients initial goals to lose a few pounds. Those who work with a personal trainer see much better results than those who try to exercise on their own.